A carnivorous mammal (Martes zibellina), considered to be a type of marten and classified in the family Mustelidae. The sable (Martes zibellina) [see illustration] is a species of marten and belongs to the mammalian family Mustelidae (order Carnivora), which also includes weasels, wolverines, fishers, otters, badgers, ferrets, and minks. The sable has a very slender, long, and supple body. Coloration varies, but is usually dark brown on the back and slightly lighter on the flanks, belly, and head. The winter pelage (the coat, which includes fur plus longer, coarser guard hairs) is long, silky, and luxurious, with a particularly strong, thick undercoat; the summer pelage is shorter, coarser, duller, and darker. The legs and tail of the sable are dark. The limbs are short and terminate in five toes with semiretractile claws. The soles of the feet are covered with extremely dense, stiff hairs. The bushy tail serves as a balancing rod. The dental formula is I 3/3, C 1/1, Pm 4/4, M 1/2 × 2 for a total of 38 teeth. Adult sables have a head and body length of 35–55 cm (13.8–21.7 in.), including a tail length of 12–19 cm (4.7–7.5 in.). They weigh 0.5–2 kg (1.1–4.4 lb). See also: Badger; Carnivora; Dentition; Ferret; Fisher; Mammalia; Marten; Mink; Otter; Weasel; Wolverine

To learn more about subscribing to AccessScience, or to request a no-risk trial of this award-winning scientific reference for your institution, fill in your information and a member of our Sales Team will contact you as soon as possible.

Let your librarian know about the award-winning gateway to the most trustworthy and accurate scientific information.

About AccessScience

AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.

Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Its dedicated editorial team is led by Sagan Award winner John Rennie. Contributors include more than 9000 highly qualified scientists and 42 Nobel Prize winners.

Features

MORE THAN 8500 articles and Research Reviews covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology

115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms

3000 biographies of notable scientific figures

MORE THAN 17,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics

ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research

LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information